Information terminal

ABSTRACT

A portable radio telephone set provided with a display section includes a rotary selector which turns to select various functions. A menu displayed on the display section is selected by the rotary selector during a non-conversation time and the sound volume can be adjusted during a conversation time. The adjusting operation can be performed from both the front and rear sides of the telephone set. The rotary selector and button keys are arranged within the operation range of the thumb, and ordinary dial functions performed by operating these rotary selector and button keys are provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a portable radio terminal and,more particularly, to a portable radio telephone set having a foldingand housing control mechanism and a rotary selector for selectingvarious functions provided in a hinge section for folding and housingpurpose.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Conventional portable radio telephone sets (hereinafter referredto simply as telephone sets) are not only provided with ordinarytelephone functions, but also an electronic telephone directory functionby which telephone numbers and names can be registered, a help functionfor guiding various functions, an incoming call tone selection functionfor selecting incoming call tone, and the like, thus being formed as amulti-functional terminal. The conventional portable radio telephone setuses function buttons in order to select such functions. The operationof some terminals has been made easier by making the shape of functionbuttons different from that of dial buttons.

[0005] When, for example, the electronic telephone directory function isused, first a telephone set user operates a function button for theelectronic telephone directory function in order to call a telephonenumber stored in the electronic telephone directory on a display sectionof the portable radio telephone set. Then, the telephone set useroperates a function button for selecting the telephone number and afunction button for scrolling the registered telephone numbers in orderto call the wanted telephone number on the display section from amongtelephone numbers registered in the electronic telephone directory. Whenthe wanted telephone number is confirmed on the display section by theabove operation, the user operates a function button for starting aconversation in order to call the other party.

[0006] Though the conventional portable radio telephone set ismulti-functional, the operation procedure thereof is complex for a userwhen the series of operations described above is considered.Furthermore, there is the possibility that the greater the number ofbuttons, the greater the chances that a button may be depressederroneously when the button arrangement of a present portable radiotelephone set is considered.

[0007] That is, in view of the complexity of such an operationprocedure, it is not said easy, as regards a conventional telephone setin which functions are selected by function buttons, to operate variousbuttons with only one hand while holding the telephone set itself in thesame hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a telephoneset which makes it possible to easily perform various operationsrequired particularly for conducting a radio conversation with one handwhile the telephone set itself is being held by the same hand.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to simplify theprocedure for selecting or operating a plurality of functions of thetelephone set.

[0010] It is still another object of the present invention to provide amulti-functional telephone set, the number of buttons thereof beingreduced as much as possible.

[0011] To achieve the above-described objects, a portable radiotelephone set in accordance with the present invention is provided,which portable radio telephone set has a display section, comprising arotary selector which turns to select various functions. A menu ofvarious functions displayed on the display section is selected when therotary selector is during a non-conversation time, sound volume can beadjusted during a conversation time, the adjusting operation can beperformed from both the front and rear sides of the telephone set. Therotary selector and button keys are arranged within the operation rangeof the thumb, and thus ordinary dial functions, performed by operatingthe rotary selector and the button keys, are provided.

[0012] According to the present invention, since the rotary selector isprovided as a telephone terminal, it is possible to easily select adesired function of the telephone terminal with one hand by rotating theselector.

[0013] Also, according to the present invention, since the rotaryselector is provided in a hinge section of a telephone terminal which isfoldable so that it can be housed, it is possible to select a desiredfunction of the telephone terminal by rotating the rotary selector.

[0014] Since the rotary selector is provided in the hinge section of thetelephone terminal which is foldable so it can be housed, the hingesection can be of any size, and the mechanical strength of the hingesection is strengthened. The provision of the rotary selector results ina reduction of key buttons for performing multiple functions, or thelike, making it possible to effectively use the space where thetelephone set is arranged.

[0015] Also, by arranging the rotary selector provided in a terminal soas to be rotatable longitudinally and slidable along the shaft of thehinge, the rotary selector can be used as a cursor. Further, by movingthe cursor on the display section up and down, or from side to side inlinkage with the rotary selector in this way, various functions of aportable telephone set can be performed, and it is made easy to performan operation with one hand.

[0016] The above and further objects and novel features of the inventionwill more fully appear from the following detailed description when thesame is read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to beexpressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose ofillustration only and are not intended as a definition of the limits ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of aportable radio telephone set in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which theportable radio telephone set shown in FIG. 1 is used while it is heldwith one hand;

[0019]FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which theportable radio telephone set is used during a radio conversation stateas it is seen from the outer side (the rear side) thereof;

[0020]FIG. 4 is an illustration of a one-hand operation method in astate in which the radio telephone set is held with one hand;

[0021]FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of a joint portion of the radiotelephone set in accordance with the embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0022]FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of the joint portion and thereceiver portion of the radio telephone set, a display section, and thelike;

[0023]FIG. 7 is a perspective view, partly in cross section,illustrating a state in which the radio telephone set is folded so it ishoused;

[0024]FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a method for controlling theposition of a cursor by operating the dials of the radio telephone setin accordance with the present invention; and

[0025]FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a selection of various functions byusing a rotary selector of the radio telephone set.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explainedbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings of FIG. 1 through FIG.9.

[0027] The appearance of a telephone set in accordance with the presentinvention will be explained first. FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective theoverall appearance of the main body of the telephone set when the foldedstate thereof is released and it is placed in a use state. In this case,a receiver section 1 and a display section 2 are freely flexed andengaged with each other via a hinge 5. These sections are engaged withan operation section 4 via a joint portion 3 by which the telephone setis folded and rotated so as to be housed. A receiver (speaker foroutputting received voice sound) 6 is provided in the central portion ofthe receiver section 1. When this receiver is brought into contact withthe ear of a party (user) during a radio conversation, a voice soundfrom the other party is heard. Since, as shown in the figure, the hinge5 is flexed to form a V shape, it is easy to operate the telephone setduring the radio conversation state. The joint portion 3 maintains thestate in which the telephone set is rotated after the main body of thetelephone set is folded and housed, that is, the use state, and isprovided with a selector 8 for selecting functions, a rotation operationmechanism, and a push-button 9. A set button 11 for storing/retrievingand inputting/outputting information, a call origination(re-origination) button 12 for starting a conversation, a ten-keyportion 13, and a termination button 14 for terminating a conversationare provided in the operation section 4, a microphone 10 being containedin the front end portion of the main body. With this construction, whena radio conversation function is selected by the selector 8, a telephoneset user brings the receiver 6 into contact with the ear, and the user'smouth is brought close to the microphone 10 as in a handset of aconventional telephone set, a radio conversation with the other partythen being conducted. Keyed-in information and necessary informationfrom among stored information are called and displayed on aliquid-crystal display screen 7 disposed in the central portion of thedisplay section 2.

[0028]FIG. 2 illustrates a state in which the telephone set is beingused while it is held by one hand (the left hand in this embodiment).The telephone set user grasps both end portions of the joint portion 3between the thumb “a” and the forefinger “b”. The push-button 9 isdepressed by the thumb an in order to rotate the display section 2 andthe receiver section 1 via the joint portion 3, thereby shifting thestate of the telephone set from the state in which it is folded andhoused to a stable use state. Since the main body of the telephone setis basically held by the thenar “c” and the remaining three fingers “d”,an accident, such as the main body of the telephone set falling from thehand, does not occur even if the thumb “a” and the forefinger areseparated from the main body of the telephone set. Therefore, if themain body of the telephone set is held as shown in FIG. 2, the telephoneset user can operate the selector 8 and various operation buttons on theoperation section 4 with the thumb “a” while simultaneously confirming adisplay on the liquid-crystal display screen 7.

[0029]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the portable radio telephone setas it is seen from the outer side (the rear side) thereof, illustratinga state in which the radio telephone set is used during a radioconversation. As shown in FIG. 3, the forefinger “b” is separated fromone end of the joint portion 3, and the selector 8 is operated by theforefinger “b”. As a result, the selector 8 can be operated by the thumb“a” from the inner surface thereof, and also by the forefinger “b” fromthe outer surface thereof.

[0030] Therefore, the selector 8 is provided in the joint portion 3 soas to select various functions (to be specific, callorigination/reception, telephone number, secrecy, input, output,storage, calculation, time, remote control, schedule, call, clear,calendar, dictionary, map, characters, numerals, or the like) during anon-radio conversation time, and so as to function to adjust the volumeof the received voice sound during a radio conversation time. Theselector 8 is provided in such a way that the selector 8 is rotatablelongitudinally and can be operated from both the inner and outersurfaces.

[0031]FIG. 4 illustrates a one-hand operation method in a state in whichthe radio telephone set is held with one hand. As shown in the figure,in the main body of the telephone set, the right and left ends of theoperation section 4 are held by the thenar “c” and the three fingers“d”. If the push-button 9 is depressed by the thumb “a”, the folded andhoused telephone set can be shifted to a stable use state, i.e., a radioconversation state, by rotating the receiver section 1 and the displaysection 2 via the joint portion 3.

[0032] An example of a case in which a radio conversation is conductedin this use state will be explained. First, the telephone set userselects by using the selector 8 a list display function (one function ofthe telephone set) for displaying a list of names and their telephonenumbers. The available selection methods include a method in which alist of functions is displayed beforehand on the liquid-crystal displayscreen 7 and a cursor which is moved in linkage with the rotation of theselector 8 or the like is moved up and down to identify any one of thefunctions, a method in which the selector itself is provided with achange-over switch corresponding to multiple functions, the selectorbeing switched to select any one of the functions. The functions can bemore easily selected by using the selector 8 in addition to the keybuttons. Next, a list of the prestored names and their telephone numbersis displayed on the liquid-crystal display screen 7, and a wantedtelephone number is retrieved by scrolling the display screen using theselector 8. In the above display and retrieval method, only the selector8 needs to be operated. As a result, an operation for switching theselector 8 at a thumb position “f” is possible. Further, when thetelephone number of the other party is confirmed, a set button 11 isdepressed at a thumb position “g”, and a call origination(re-origination) button 12 is operated, allowing a radio conversation tostart. When the radio conversation is terminated, a termination button14 is depressed at a thumb position “i” in order to complete a series ofoperations necessary for conducting a radio conversation. That is, therange in which the liquid-crystal display screen 7 can be visuallyconfirmed and in which the thumb “a” can be moved to operate theselector 8, the call origination (re-origination) button 12, and thetermination button 14 is assumed to be the range defined by the brokenlines A and B shown in the figure. In this range, necessary operationscan be performed by the thumb “a”. In other words, this range is a rangein which the thumb “a” is rotated, turned, moved back and forth, andbent in a combined manner at a joint “e” about the base of a human'sphalanx in the thumb “a”. Therefore, when the selector 8 and variousbuttons required for a radio conversation are arranged in the rangedefined by the broken lines A and B, since the selector 8 and thebuttons are operated with one hand, the ease with which the telephoneset is operated with one hand is enhanced.

[0033] An example in which these various functions are selected by theselector 8 will now be explained with reference to the flowchart in FIG.9. When the telephone set is opened for use from the state in which itis housed because the push-button 9 is depressed by the thumb “a”, thepower supply is turned on, and the initial screen appears on theliquid-crystal display screen 7, on which screen date, time, and thelike are displayed. When the set button 11 is depressed, a functionscreen appears on the display screen 7. The displayed function settingand the memory dial are cursor-moved by turning the selector 8. Then, afunction is selected, and the function is determined by operating theset button 11.

[0034] When a function setting is selected in such function selection,functions “Set/Release”, “Select”, “Adjust”, “Command input” and“Display only” are successively displayed as a result of the turning ofthe selector 8, making scrolling retrieval possible and allowing theseselected functions to be confirmed. When these functions are selectedand set by the set button 11, call origination restriction is set orreleased in “Set/Release”, turning on/off of number announcement isselected by the cursor movement caused by the turning of the selector 8and determined by the set button 11, and the screen returns to theinitial screen. When the function “Select” is selected and set, theselectable range of ringing tone quality is displayed, and it ispossible to select the tone quality by turning the selector 8 whiledisplaying the current situation. After the tone quality is determinedby the set button 11, the screen returns to the initial screen. When thefunction “Adjust” is selected and set, the selectable range of thereceiver tone volume is displayed, and it is possible to select the tonevolume by turning the selector 8 while displaying the current situation.After the receiver tone volume is determined by the set button 11, thescreen returns to the initial screen. When the function “Command input”is selected and set, a display screen for inputting four digits of apersonal identification number appears, making it possible to input thenumber by using the buttons of a ten-key section 13. The number is setby the set button 11 after it is input, and the screen returns to theinitial screen. When the function “Display only” is selected and set,the amount of the remaining memory of the memory dial is displayed, andthe screen returns to the initial screen.

[0035] When the memory dial is selected in the function selection,“Store”, “Update”, and “Clear” displayed on the display screen 7 are setby the selector 8 as a result of the turning thereof, and set by the setbutton 11, making it possible to proceed to the subsequent functions.

[0036] Although in the above-described operation, functions aredetermined by the set button 11, the selector 8 may be moved axially soas to have the same functions as those of the set button 11 as in ajoystick 29 which will be described later. In such a case, the ease withwhich the telephone set is operated with one hand is enhanced even more.

[0037]FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of the joint portion 3 of theradio telephone set in accordance with the present invention. The jointportion 3 is formed of a case 15 and a button shaft 19, and fixed to theoperation section 4. A boss shaft 16 is formed in the central endsurface portion of the case 15, and the boss shaft 16 and a hollowflange 18 are rotatably engaged with each other. Similarly, a sleeveshaft 22 is formed in the button shaft 19, and the sleeve shaft 22 and asleeve flange 20 are rotatably engaged with each other. The rotatablehollow flange 18 and the sleeve flange 20 are fixed by a chassis 17which is stably fixed inside the display section 2. In this way, theoperation section 4 and the display section 2 are freely engaged witheach other in such a way that they can be folded on one another via thejoint portion 3.

[0038] The push-button 9 can be movably inserted into the end surface ofthe button shaft 19. A shank 23 formed in the push-button 9 is slidablyfitted into the inside of the sleeve shaft 22. A stopper piece 24 isdisposed in the shank 23 which is engaged with notches 25 and 26 formedin the end surfaces of the sleeve shaft 22 and the sleeve flange 20. Asa result, the rotation of the sleeve flange 20 is stopped, andconsequently the rotation of the display section 2 is stopped stably.The notch 26 of the sleeve shaft 22 does not allow the engagement of thestopper piece 24 to be released for the maximum axial stroke of thepush-button 9. In contrast, the engagement of the notch 25 of the sleeveflange 20 can be released and freely rotated. The notch 25 of the sleeveflange 20 is formed at an open position where the telephone set is beingused and at a housing position (not shown) where it is folded andhoused.

[0039] Further, a torsion coil spring 21 is disposed inside the case 15.One end of the torsion coil spring 21 is connected and fixed to the case15, and the other end thereof is extended from the case 15 and engagedwith a spring hole formed in the hollow flange 18. As a result, if thepush-button 9 is depressed, the stopper piece 24 releases the stoppageat the notch 25 (not shown) when it is housed, and the elastic force ofthe torsion coil spring 21 is released, causing the hollow flange 18 torotate. Therefore, the receiver section 1 and the display section 2 arerotated, becoming ready for use.

[0040] Since some elastic force still remains in the torsion coil spring21 in the above connection in the use state, a rotational force is givencontinuingly in the direction in which the remaining elastic force isreleased. This fact indicates that unwanted jarring which may occur whenthe telephone set is used, is prevented by the rotational force thereof.

[0041] Further, when a selector shaft 28 engaging with the selector 8moves along the axis thereof when the mechanical position thereof isread, the stroke stops at the end surface of the shank 23 so as to serveas a stopper. The press fitting between the shank 23 and a shaft 27 isnot released by such an operation force acting on the selector shaft 28.The selector shaft 28 and the shaft 27 are able to slide axially andturn around the shaft thereof on one shaft. The shaft 27 is supported soas to be slidable and turnable inside the selector shaft 28, and theother end reaches the joystick 29. Further, the selector shaft 28extends close to the center of the joint portion 3, and the selector 8is press-fitted to the end. The selector 8 is able to smoothly slideaxially and turn around the shaft thereof without contacting othercomponents.

[0042] Next, the joystick 29 will be explained. Disposed inside thejoystick 29 are a power-supply switch (not shown) working with the shaft27, a volume (for adjusting the receiver tone volume) which operates inresponse to the movement of the selector shaft 28, a sensor (forselecting functions), and the like. Examples of the sensor are amechanical sensor, an electrical sensor, or an optical sensor. In short,the sensor detects the rotational position of the selector shaft 28, thesliding operation along the rotational shaft, and sends a signal to theliquid-crystal display screen 7 so that function selection/setting shownin FIG. 9 is performed and the screen is switched. Examples of methodsperformed by the power-supply switch are a method in which the positionof the selector shaft is detected by the sensor and the power supply isturned on/off, and a method in which simply one end of the selectorshaft 28 and the surface which the one end contacts are formed into anelectrical contact point, and it is made to work with the depressing ofthe push-button 9. If the turning on/off of the push-button 9 is made towork in linkage with the turning on/off of the power-supply switch as inthese methods, the telephone set user depresses the push-button 9 inorder to make the telephone set in a folded and housed state shift to ause state, the power supply of the telephone set can be turned on,making it unnecessary to provide a key button exclusively used for thepower-supply switch in the operation section 4. More specifically, whenthe telephone set is shifted to a state in which it is placed in a usestate from the folded and housed state, the power supply of thetelephone set can be inevitably turned on without operating a key buttonexclusively used for the power supply. The sensor inside the joystick 29works not only with the selector shaft 28, but also with the operationof the function button in the operation section 4, and functions can beselected from the operation section 4.

[0043] The functions selected in this way reach a display processingcircuit (not shown) via a cord E, and various displays necessary forperforming the functions are made. Although in the embodiment theselector 8 works for controlling the position of a cursor, a selectorexclusively used for controlling the position of the cursor, in additionto the selector 8, may be disposed near the selector 8.

[0044]FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of the joint portion 3, thereceiver section 1, and the display section 2. As shown in the figure,the display section 2 is able to turn along a slide ring 30 which servesas a part of the joint portion 3 fixed to the operation section 4.Inside the display section 2, one end of a fine slide pin 31 is alwayspressed against and built onto the slide ring 30. The other end of theslide pin 31 is rotatably engaged with a hinge piece 32 which works withthe hinge 5 by which the section between the display section 2 and thereceiver section 1 is made flexible. An elastic spring 33 is fixed tothe hinge piece 32, and the other end is fixed to a spring seat 34formed inside the receiver section 1. As shown in the figure, thereceiver section 1 stabilizes at the flex position as indicated by thesolid line by the action of the elastic spring 33. When an unnecessaryforce acts on the receiver section 1, since the receiver section 1 isturned as indicated by the broken line, the telephone set itself isprotected, and the receiver section 1 contacts the user's ear withelastic properties during a non-radio conversation. Thus, received voicecan be heard in a satisfactory contact. When the telephone set is foldedand housed, the receiver section 1 and the display section 2 are foldedvia the joint portion 3 as indicated by the broken line. Since, at thattime, the slide pin 31 engages with a notch 35 of the slide ring 30,formed at the position at which the telephone set is housed, thereceiver section 1 and the display section 2 are folded stably. At thefolded time, the hinge piece 32 which works with the slide pin 31 isretracted into the display section 2. Therefore, the receiver section 1which is flexed with respect to the display section 2 is folded in astate in which it is spread linearly so as to be along the displaysection 2.

[0045]FIG. 7 is a perspective view, partly in cross section,illustrating a state in which the telephone set is folded so as to behoused. As shown in the figure, since the slide pin 31 built into thedisplay section 2 is engaged with the notch 35 formed in a part of theouter periphery of the joint portion 3 (equivalent to the slide ring30), the telephone set is stably folded and housed. In this folded andhoused state, if the push-button 9 is operated, the receiver section 1and the display section 2 are turned for use, and the slide pin 31 isslidingly released from the notch 35. As a result, the receiver section1 is flexed with respect to the display section 2.

[0046] Finally, controlling the position of the cursor by using theselector 8 will be explained. FIG. 8 illustrates a method forcontrolling the position of the cursor. As shown in the figure, theselector 8 disposed in the joint portion 3 is used to update theposition of the noticed display on the liquid-crystal display screen 7,i.e., the position of a cursor 37. When that position is updated, thethumb “a” is operated at will from side to side in the direction of thearrow A or up and down in the direction of the arrow B in a state inwhich the thumb “a” contacts at a position “j” on the selector 8. Thatis, when the selector 8 is in a free state, the selector 8 stabilizeswhile maintaining clearances 36 a and 36 b of the same size toward theright and left, respectively. The operation using the thumb “a” in thedirection of the arrow A changes the size of these clearances 36 a and36 b. This change is sensed by a sensor inside the above-mentionedjoystick 29. If, for example, the selector 8 is operated to the right,the cursor 37 is moved to the right on the liquid-crystal display screen7. If the thumb “a” is released from the selector 8, the selector 8 isautomatically made to return to the central position. The upward anddownward operation of the selector 8 by using the thumb “a” causes theselector 8 to rotate up and down. The direction and the amount of therotation at that time is sensed by the knob or sensor inside thejoystick 29, and the cursor 37 moves up and down on the liquid-crystaldisplay screen 7. What is meant by “sensed by the knob” here is that theamount of the rotation of the selector 8 is determined by voltage,current or the like corresponding to the knob. When a selectorexclusively used for controlling the position of the cursor, in additionto the selector 8, is disposed near the selector 8, the selectorexclusively used for controlling the position of the cursor is similarlyoperated, controlling the position of the cursor 37. Therefore, if thecursor 37 is moved successively to a desired position, for example, in acondition in which all necessary characters, numerals, symbols or thelike are displayed on the liquid-crystal display screen 7, characters orthe like at a moved position are sequentially selected as inputsubjects, and processed. When the set button 11 is operated on theoperation section 4 in a condition in which, for example, the cursor 37is moved to a desired character position, a list of names and telephonenumbers can be displayed in part on the upper portion of theliquid-crystal display screen 7. Up to the present time, desiredcharacter strings or the like have been formed solely by operations often-keys for a necessary number of times. The operations are troublesomeand complex, and key processing requiring a great number of operationsis necessary. However, when display processing is performed as describedabove, such inconveniences as described above are reduced.

[0047] According to the embodiment of the present invention, asdescribed above, since the rotary selector is disposed in the hingesection of a telephone set which is folded so as to be housed, the hingesection is made to have a desired size so that the mechanical strengthof the hinge section can be strengthened. Since the provision of therotary selector results in a reduction of key buttons for performingmultiple functions, there is an advantage in that the space where thetelephone set is arranged can be effectively used.

[0048] According to the embodiment of the present invention, there is anadvantage in that by using the rotary selector disposed in a terminal,no key buttons exclusively used for controlling the cursor are needed,and the operation with one hand is made easier.

[0049] In addition, according to the embodiment of the presentinvention, the number of necessary key buttons can be reduced since theportable telephone set is provided with a rotary selector, and keybuttons and a display of the most appropriate size can be arranged in atelephone set of the most appropriate size. Furthermore, when the rotaryselector is disposed in the hinge section of a folding type portabletelephone set, the space where the rotary selector is disposed can bereduced.

[0050] According to the embodiment of the present invention, since arotary selector is disposed in the telephone set, it is possible toeasily perform various operations necessary, in particular, forconducting a radio conversation with the fingers of one hand while thetelephone set itself is being held with the same hand.

[0051] Many different embodiments of the present invention may beconstructed without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. It should be understood that the present invention is notlimited to the specific embodiment described in this specification. Tothe contrary, the present invention is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the claims. The following claims are to be accorded thebroadest interpretation, so as to encompass all such modifications andequivalent structures and functions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable radio telephone set provided with adisplay section, comprising: a rotary selector which turns to selectvarious functions, said rotary selector being capable of selecting amenu of the various functions displayed on the display section during anon-conversation time, and capable of adjusting the sound volume duringa conversation time, the adjusting operation capable of being performedfrom both the front and rear sides of said telephone set, and buttonkeys being arranged with said rotary selector within the operation rangeof the thumb so that ordinary dial functions performed by operating saidrotary selector and said button keys are provided.
 2. A portable radiotelephone set according to claim 1, said telephone set being of afolding type so as to be housed, wherein said rotary selector isprovided in the foldable hinge section so as to be rotatable in the samedirection as that of said hinge section.
 3. A portable radio telephoneset according to claim 2, wherein a folding and housing controlmechanism is disposed in the side end of said hinge section.
 4. Aportable radio telephone set according to claim 1, wherein said rotaryselector is rotatable and slidable along the rotational shaft thereof.5. A portable radio telephone set according to one of claims 1 and 4,wherein said rotary selector makes it possible to control the positionof a cursor on the display section.
 6. A portable radio telephone setaccording to claim 1, wherein, when said rotary selector turns to setfunctions in function selection, it is possible to scroll and retrievesetting and releasing of call origination restriction, ringing tone,receiver tone volume, inputting of a personal identification number orthe like, which are functions displayed on said display section, and itis possible to select and set these functions by the rotary selector. 7.A portable radio telephone set which is provided with a display sectionand of a folding and housing type, said telephone set comprising arotary selector which turns to select various functions being disposedin a hinge section for folding and housing purpose in such a way thatthe rotary selector can turn in the same direction as that of said hingesection, and a dial for controlling the position of a cursor beingdisposed near the shaft of the hinge section of said rotary selector,said dial being capable of turning in the same direction as that of saidhinge section and capable of sliding along the shaft of said hingesection.
 8. A portable radio telephone set according to claim 7, furthercomprising a folding and housing control mechanism disposed in the sideend of said hinge section.
 9. A portable radio telephone set which isprovided with a display section and of a folding and housing type, saidtelephone set comprising a rotary selector which turns to select variousfunctions disposed in a hinge section for folding and housing purpose insuch a way that the rotary selector can turn in the same direction asthat of said hinge section, said rotary selector selecting a menudisplayed on a display section during a non-conversation time andadjusting a sound volume during a conversation time, such adjustingoperation capable of being performed from both the front and rear sidesof said telephone set, button keys being arranged with said rotaryselector within the operation range of the thumb so that ordinary dialfunctions performed by operating said rotary selector and button keysare provided, and a dial for controlling the position of a cursor beingdisposed near the shaft of the hinge section of said rotary selector,said dial being capable of turning in the same direction as that of saidhinge section and capable of sliding along the shaft of said hingesection.